We’re all sick of the sewage crisis around our local surf spots. Did you know untreated sewage discharged more than once a minute, on average, across the UK last year?
Surfers Against Sewage has organise a massive paddle-out protest, set to take place as the official bathing season in England and Wales – which runs from 15th May to 30th September- begins. Last year, there were 8,704 sewage discharges in England during the bathing season, an average of more than 60 a day.
The paddle-outs are set to take place at multiple locations across the UK and Ireland on May 17th. You can find more info, here.
Last year’s protest saw thousands of ocean and water lovers paddle-out against the sewage crisis.
Recent polling of more than 2,000 UK adults, carried out for Surfers Against Sewage, shows that over half (54%) are worried they will become sick if they swim in UK waters due to poor water quality, with only one in five (19%) believing that by 2030 they will be able to enjoy the country’s beaches, lakes and rivers without the risk of becoming unwell. Furthermore, more than a third (37%) believe the actions of their water supplier has negatively impacted their local community and less than a third (31%) trust the government to ensure water suppliers will improve infrastructure and reduce sewage spills.
Giles Bristow, CEO at Surfers Against Sewage said: “Another year, another summer of swimming and surfing in sewage while our shameless water companies laugh all the way to the bank. The public has simply had enough and will be paddling out in their thousands to send a clear message to government and the polluters: end this sewage scandal now!
“Our failing water industry has been trumpeting billions in investment to clean up their act, but we know that these fat cat bosses can’t be trusted to keep their promises. The proof is in the missed targets, shocking statistics and devastating stories of sickness we continue to see year after year. We’ve had enough of their lies, greed and incompetence and know that this nightmare will not end until the whole water system is radically reformed.
“The thousands paddling out across the UK are letting the water companies, government and Independent Water Commission know, loud and clear, that we will not accept another year of risking our health to swim in the sea.
“People should be free to use the water without fear of getting sick, and that’s why we developed the Safer Seas & Rivers Service, a free app that provides real-time pollution alerts, giving peace of mind for those worried about sewage pollution.”
The protests are taking place as the Independent Water Commission reviews its evidence before making recommendations to Government on reforming the water industry in England and Wales. Surfers Against Sewage is calling for a total reform of the privatised water sector, demanding that protecting public health and the environment should be prioritised ahead of profit.
Surfers Against Sewage is calling for ambitious and radical reform of the water industry in England and Wales, which puts the environment and public health ahead of profit, ending sewage pollution for good. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the charity is calling for real-time sewage alerts and increased monitoring and transparency of sewage discharges into blue spaces.
Following the nationwide Paddle-Out Protests, SAS is urging the public to email their MP and call for their support for transformational reform of the water industry in England and Wales, and increased transparency and monitoring of water quality in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
